Harpsichord with sustain mechanism

ABSTRACT

A harpsichord having string plucking means consisting of a vertically moving jack and a plectrum carrying tongue pivotally mounted at the upper end of the jack. A control rod or lever means is associated with each jack and is operated by the same key as the associated jack. The control rod causes the tongue to pivot bringing the plectrum into string plucking position before the jack is raised by the key action. After the string is plucked, the control rod actuating arrangement permits the rod to drop to its rest position before the jack falls thereby preventing the rod from interfering with the retracted position of the tongue and plectrum away from the string, retraction having occurred when the string was plucked. Hence, when the jack drops, neither the plectrum nor its associated buffer contacts the strings until the key is again depressed. Blocking means are provided for holding the plectrum carrying tongue in its rest position when it is desired to use a different register of jacks.

United States Patent OBrien [451 July 18,1972

[54] HARPSICHORD WITH SUSTAIN MECHANISM 72 Inventor: Walter F. O'Brien,Garrettsville, Ohio [73] Assignee: Philip M. Cuechlara, Cleveland, Ohioa part interest [22] Filed: Aug. 19, 1970 I2l'l Appl.No.: 64,945

Primary Examiner-Richard B. Wilkinson Assistant ExaminerLawrence R.Franklin Attorney-Oldham & Oldham A harpsichord having string pluckingmeans consisting of a vertically moving jack and a plectrum carryingtongue pivotally mounted at therupper end of the jack. A control rod orlever means is associated with each jack and is operated by the same keyas the associated jack. The control rod causes the tongue to pivotbringing the plectrum into string plucking position before the jack israised by the key action. After the string is plucked, the control rodactuating arrangement permits the rod to drop to its rest positionbefore the jack falls thereby preventing the rod from interfering withthe retracted position of the tongue and plectrum away from the string,retraction having occurred when the string was plucked. Hence, when thejack drops, neither the plectrum nor its associated buffer contacts thestrings until the key is again depressed. Blocking means are providedfor holding the plectrum carrying tongue in its rest position when it isdesired to use a different register of jacks.

8 Chins, 5 Drawing Figures ABSTRACT maunin JUL] 8 I972 SHEEI 1 OF 2 IELFIG.|

FIG.2

INVENTOR. WALTER F. O BRIEN BY wm ww ATTORNEYS.

PATENTED Jun 8 1912 31571124 SHEET 2- OF 2 INVENTOR. WALTER F. O'BRIENMM 654mm ATTORNEYS.

HARPSICHORD WlTI-I SUSTAIN MECHANISM The present invention relates tostring musical instruments wherein the strings are played by a pluckingaction and more particularly to a plucking mechanism for suchinstruments which eliminates the restriking of the string on release ofthe key until the key is again depressed.

In harpsichords or similar instruments, the plucking action of thestrings is controlled by keys which are pivotally mounted on the frameof the instrument. Each key controls an individual jack which carries aplectrum at its upper end. When the key is depressed, the jack is raisedand the string plucked by the plectrum.

l-leretofore, it has been difficult to assure the uniform pluckingaction of the strings. This is due to a number of factors among whichare the appreciable lateral shifting of the strings due to temperatureand humidity changes, the movement of a series of jacks which have beenshified out of and into registry with the strings, etc. As a result ofsuch misalignment between the strings and the plectrum, individualplectrums may be closer or further from the strings than desired andplucked too strongly, too weakly, or not at all. Ifthe string hasshifted an extreme amount closer to the jack, it is possible for theplectrum to catch on the string, with the jack remaining suspended andinoperative until corrected by manual adjustment. An additional problempresent in the string plucking mechanisms is that the plectrum tends tostrike the string a I second time as the jack moves downwardly to its atrest position. The second striking causes undesirable sound whichinterferes with the overall musical quality of the instrument and makesa sustaining arrangement unfeasible.

This invention is an improvement in my prior US. Pat. No. 3 ,45 3 ,922.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a stringplucking mechanism for a musical instrument of the harpsichord type inwhich the plectrum is always correctly aligned with the strings and inwhich the plectrum is carried well clear of the string when the jack isreturning downwardly to its at rest position, thereby avoiding thesecond striking of the string.

Another object of the invention is to make a sustain action feasible ina harpsichord by eliminating the second striking of the string by theplectrum or its associated buffer even after the jack has dropped to itsrest position.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a stringplucking mechanism for a harpsichord or similar instrument in whichmeans are provided for rendering one or more registers of keysinoperative, when desired, and which accomplishes the result without theshifting of the jacks out of their normal position so that misalignmentbetween the plectrum and strings is reduced.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved tonguepositioning means and improved control means for the tongue and hence ofthe plectrum carried thereby.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a string pluckingmechanism for a harpsichord or similar instrument in which the danger ofa jack becoming accidently snagged on a string is eliminated.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent upon consideration of the following specification and theaccompanying drawings wherein there is shown a preferred embodiment ofthe invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partially in section, ofa key and plucking means associated therewith for a string musicalinstrument such as a harpsichord;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the embodiments of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view, similar to that of FIG.1, but showing the key and plucking means at various stages of theplucking action; and

FIGS. 4 and 5 are fragmentary front elevational views of two furthermodifications of the jack and tongue assembly employed in the presentinvention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the first embodiment of the invention will nowbe described. It should be understood that while only one stringplucking assembly is shown for clarity of illustration, the harpsichordor other instrument will be provided with additional keys and strings.Also the harpsichord may have more than one register.

The key 12 is pivotally balanced on a balance rail 14 which rests on andis secure to the key bed of the instrument (not shown). The key 12 isreceived on a positioning pin 16 extending upwardly from the balancerail 14 and rests on a felt washer 18 to allow noiseless pivotalmovement. Depressing the front portion of the key 12 causes the rearportion to raise upwardly. Associated with each key 12 there is at leastone jack 20 which is received and vertically moveable in openings inguides or rails 22 and 24, suitably supported on theinstrument frame.The jack 20 has shoulders 26 which limit its downward movement and holdthe lower end of the jack 20 a short distance above the key 12. Acushion 28 is mounted on the top surface of the key immediately belowthe jack 20. The upper end of the jack 20 is bifurcated as indicated bythe reference numeral 30 and a tongue 32 is pivotally mounted within theopen portion of the bifurcated end 30. A pin 34 extends through thebifurcated portions 30 of the jack 20 and the tongue 32 to position thetongue. At the upper end of the tongue 30 there is provided an outwardlyprojecting conventional plectrum 36 for plucking a string 40. A bufferpiece 38 of any suitable material such as buckskin, sponge, foam rubber,or plastic is also provided at the upper end of the tongue 32 and on theupper side of the plectrum 36. The upward vertical movement of the jack20 is limited by a jack or guide rail 42 which has a suitable layer ofcushioning material 44 thereon.

A spring member 46 of roughly elongated S-configuration is attached tothe opposite side of the tongue 32 from the plectrum 36 and has a curvedlower portion 48 which rests on a cushioned upper end 50 of a controlrod 52. The rod 52 extends vertically through and is slidable in thesupport rails 22 and 24 and has projection such as a collar 54 rigidlyaffixed thereto. As an important feature of the invention, the controlrod 52 is operated by means of a roughly Y-shaped level 56 which ispivotally mounted in a bracket 58 carried by the key 12. The mounting ofthe lever 56 is accomplished by a pin 60 extending through the bracket58 and one of the short legs of the lever 56. Another short leg 62 ofthe lever 56 extends forwardly and a compression spring 64 is retainedbetween the leg 62 and the base of the mounting bracket 58 for adjustingthe position of the lever. The outer or upper end 66 of a principal leg57 of the lever is shown provided with a covering 67 and is normally incontact with the rod 52 and a lower end of the collar 54. The covering67 is made from any suitable.

noiseless, wear resistant material, such as leather. A stop member 68,having a pad 70 vertically adjustably carried by a screw 72 extendingthrough a suitable rail 74 of the instrument frame, is provided to aidin control of the lever 56.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the forward end of the key 12 is depressed,causing the rear end thereof to move upwardly, the arm 57 of lever 56pushes upwardly on the collar 54, causing the control rod 52 to moveupwardly. The distance between the lower end of the jack 20 and the pad28 on the key 12 delays the upward movement of the jack. When the rod 52is moved upwardly in relation to the jack 20, the spring 46 is pushedupwardly causing the tongue 32 to pivot about the pin 34 bringing theplectrum 36 into string plucking position. As upward movement of therear end of the key 12 continues, the jack 20 and control rod 52 moveupwardly together and the string is plucked by the end of the plectrum36, the bufl'er 38 is initially contacting the string 40 to assure thatit is properly positioned. Continued upward movement of the key 12beyond the point at which the string is plucked causes the arm 62 of thelever 56 to strike the pad 70 of the stop 68 and as a result, the lever56 moves to the position shown in dotted outline of FIG. 3. In thisposition, the upper end 66 of the lever 56 has been moved clear of thecollar 54 and the control rod 52 will move or drop downwardly. Thearcuate shape of such lever end 66 and the covering 67 thereon aids inobtaining good but releasable engagement of the lever end with the lowerend of the collar 54. The tongue 32 now reacts when the string pluckingis terminated to pivot back to its at rest position, removing theplectrum 36 from alignment with the string 40. When the key is released,its lower end moves downwardly, as does the jack 20. However, since theplectrum has moved away from the string, there is no second plucking orcontact whatever even after the jack 20 drops to its original restposition and a tone sustain" is obtained.

In this embodiment, there is also provided a rod 76 which runs thelength of a register of keys. The position of the rod or bar 76 may becontrolled in any known manner. When this rod is in the position shownin the drawings, normal plucking ac- FIGS. 4 and illustrate arrangementsfor stabilizing the plectrum carrying tongue in the positions to whichthe operating forces thrust it. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, ajack 98, supported by suitable rails and operated by a suitable key, allnow shown herein, carries a bifurcated tongue 100 which has a stringplucking plectrum, not shown. The tongue 100 is carried by a pin 102which has a force fit through the tongue 100 and rotated on bushings 104carried in a bifurcated portion of the jack 98. A spring 106 is securedto the jack 98 and puts pressure against an exposed portion of the pin102 tending to stabilize the tongue 100 and prevent undesirable movementof the tongue 100 until it is moved by a direct or reactive force.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, a bifurcated tongue 110 is pivotallycarried on a pin 112 which has a force fit in the bifurcated ends of ajack 108 and a rotating fit in bushings 114 carried by the tongue 110.In this embodiment, the spring 116 is secured to the tongue 110 andapplies pressure against the pin 112 to resist rotation of the tongue110.

It will be seen that the movement restrictive constructions of FIGS. 4and 5 set up only small or light forces and still permit pivotalmovement on the tongues 100 and 110 by the forces applied thereto or byreaction after a plucking action has been obtained.

lt should now be apparent that there has been provided a string pluckingmechanism for a harpsichord or a similar instrument which fulfills theobjectives set out above. The provision of the pivotally mountedplectrum carrying tongue at the upper end of the jack and of means forbiasing the tongue toward the string assures that the plectrum will beproperly positioned in relation to the string to cause plucking thereofon upward movement of the jack. The provision of a buffer piece on theupper side of the plectrum also assures that the plectrum is properlypositioned with the string so that uniform plucking is achieved. Byproviding a control rod which operates to bring the plectrum into stringplucking position before the jack is raised and which permits theplectrum to remain in a position retracted away from the string whilethe jack moves downwardly and even after the jack has dropped to itsoriginal rest position, assures that the string will be plucked only onupward movement of the jack and thus eliminates the undesired secondstriking and provides practical sustain action for the note provided.

While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown forthe purpose of illustrating the invention, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be madetherein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a musical instrument having a frame, a plurality of stringssecured to the frame, a plurality of pivotally mounted keys and aplurality of plucking means individually operably associated with theindividual strings and controlled by the keys, each plucking meansincluding a vertically movable jack having a bifurcated upper end, theimprovement comprising:

a tongue member pivotally mounted to the bifurcated end 5 of said jackby a pin extending through said jack and said tongue member; a plectrumcarried by said tongue member and adapted to pluck said string uponupward movement of said jack; and

a spring operatively bearing against said pin to aid in retaining saidtongue member in the position each positive force applied thereto placesit.

2. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said pin is fixedlycarried by the bifurcated portion of said jack, said tongue memberrotates on said pin, and said spring is secured at one end to saidtongue and bears against said pin.

3. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said pin is rigidlymounted in said tongue member and rotatably mounted in said bifurcatedportions of said jack, and said spring is secured at one end to saidjack and bears against said pm.

4. In a musical instrument having a frame, a plurality of stringssecured to the frame, a plurality of pivotally mounted keys, and aplurality of plucking means individually operably 25 associated with theindividual strings and controlled by the keys, each plucking meansincluding a vertically movable jack, the improvement comprising:

a tongue pivotally mounted to the upper end of each jack for movementtoward and away from the string associated therewith, a plectrum mountedon said tongue and adapted to pluck said string upon upward movement ofsaid jack;

means to urge said tongue toward said string prior to upward movement ofsaid jack, said means permitting said tongue to pivot away from saidstring after the plectrum has plucked the string and prior tocommencement of downward movement of said jack to a position in whichsaid plectrum is offset from said string and to remain in said oflsetposition until said plectrum has dropped below said string whereby atone sustain action is obtained;

said means to urge said tongue includes a spring attached at one end tosaid tongue, and means contacting the free end of said spring prior toupward movement of said jack to bias said tongue and plectrum towardsaid string, and being releasable before termination of upward movementof said jack;

said means contacting said spring includes a vertical rod the upper endof which contacts the free end of said spring and a lever carried bysaid key and operably engaging said rod to move said rod upwardly whenthe front end of said key is depressed; and

said lever is pivotally mounted on said key and biased so that the upperend of said lever contacts said rod, said rod 5 having a protrudingmember secured thereto for engagement by an end of said lever uponmovement thereof provided by said key.

5. The improvement according to claim 4 further including an adjustablestop engaging and moving said lever to a position clear of said memberwhen said lever has been raised a predetermined distance.

6. The improvement according to claim 5 wherein the clearance betweensaid jack and said key is greater than the clearance between said leverand said member whereby said rod is moved upwardly to contact saidspring and urge said tongue toward said string prior to upward movementof said jack.

7. The improvement according to claim 5 wherein said predetermineddistance is sufficiently long that said tongue remains in stringplucking position until said plectrum has plucked said string and lessthan the total upward distance travelled by said jack.

8. The improvement according to claim 4 further including a rod movablebetween a first, inoperative position and a 75 second position in whichsaid rod holds said lever in a position clear of said protruding memberwhereby said plectrum carrying tongue remains offset from said stringand no plucking action occurs upon vertical movement of said jack.

1 i I. i l

1. In a musical instrument having a frame, a plurality of stringssecured to the frame, a plurality of pivotally mounted keys and aplurality of plucking means individually operably associated with theindividual strings and controlled by the keys, each plucking meansincluding a vertically movable jack having a bifurcated upper end, theimprovement comprising: a tongue member pivotally mounted to thebifurcated end of said jack by a pin extending through said jack andsaid tongue member; a plectrum carried by said tongue member and adaptedto pluck said string upon upward movement of said jack; and a springoperatively bearing against said pin to aid in retaining said tonguemember in the position each positive force applied thereto places it. 2.The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said pin is fixedly carriedby the bifurcated portion of said jack, said tongue member rotates onsaid pin, and said spring is secured at one end to said tongue and bearsagainst said pin.
 3. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein saidpin is rigidly mounted in said tongue member and rotatably mounted insaid bifurcated portions of said jack, and said spring is secured at oneend to said jack and bears against said pin.
 4. In a musical instrumenthaving a frame, a plurality of strings secured to the frame, a pluralityof pivotally mounted keys, and a plurality of plucking meansindividually operably associated with the individual strings andcontrolled by the keys, each plucking means including a verticallymovable jack, the improvement comprising: a tongue pivotally mounted tothe upper end of each jack for movement toward and away from the stringassociated therewith, a plectrum mounted on said tongue and adapted topluck said string upon upward movement of said jack; means to urge saidtongue toward said string prior to upward movement of said jack, saidmeans permitting said tongue to pivot away from said string after theplectrum has plucked the string and prior to commencement of downwardmovement of said jack to a position in which said plectrum is offsetfrom said string and to remain in said offset position until saidplectrum has dropped below said string whereby a tone sustain action isobtained; said means to urge said tongue includes a spring attached atone end to said tongue, and means contacting the free end of said springprior to upward movement of said jack to bias said tongue and plectrumtoward said string, and being releasable before termination of upwardmovement of said jack; said means contacting said spring includes avertical rod the upper end of which contacts the free end of said springand a lever carried by said key and operably engaging said rod to movesaid rod upwardly when the front end of said key is depressed; and saidlever is pivotally mounted on said key and biased so that the upper endof said lever contacts said rod, said rod having a protruding membersecured thereto for engagement by an end of said lever upon movementthereof provided by said key.
 5. The improvement according to claim 4further including an adjustable stop engaging and moving said lever to aposition clear of said member when said lever has been raised apredetermined distance.
 6. The improvement according to claim 5 whereinthe clearance between said jack and said key is greater than theclearance between said lever and said member whereby said rod is movedupwardly to contact said spring and urge said tongue toward said stringprior to upward movement of said jack.
 7. The improvement according toclaim 5 wherein said predetermined distance is sufficiently long thatsaid tongue remains in string plucking position until said plectrum hasplucked said string and less than the total upward distance travelled bysaid jack.
 8. The improvement according to claim 4 further including arod movable between a first, inoperative position and a second positionin which said rod holds said lever in a position clear of saidprotruding member whereby said plectrum carrying tongue remains offsetfrom said string and no plucking action occurs upon vertical movement ofsaid jack.